Trail Running Tips Using Ultra Running Shoes

Trail running kicked my ass the first dozen times I tried it. I’d been running roads for years, thought trails would be basically the same with prettier scenery. Wrong. So incredibly wrong.

Tripped over roots constantly. Rolled my ankle twice in the first month. Got destroyed on descents because I had no idea how to control speed on steep technical sections. My road shoes felt completely inadequate for the terrain.

Switching to proper trail shoes helped, but I still needed to learn how to actually use them. The shoes provide capabilities – traction, protection, stability – but you have to adapt your running style to take advantage of those features.

Three years of trail running later, I’ve finally figured out techniques that actually work. Here’s what makes the difference between struggling on trails and flowing smoothly over varied terrain.

Shorten Your Stride On Technical Terrain

Road running rewards long, powerful strides. Trails punish them. I learned this by nearly face-planting multiple times trying to maintain road stride length over roots and rocks.

Shorter, quicker steps provide better control and balance. You can adjust mid-stride if you land on an unstable rock or need to avoid something unexpected. Long strides commit you to the landing spot with no adjustment possible.

Cadence should increase on technical sections. I run 165-170 steps per minute on roads but bump to 180+ on rocky trails. The faster turnover keeps you light on your feet and responsive.

Ultra shoes with aggressive lugs work best when you strike with your whole foot, not just the heel. Flat-footed landings engage more of the tread pattern and provide better traction. Takes practice but dramatically improves grip on loose or slippery surfaces.

Master Downhill Techniques

Descents terrified me initially. Gravity pulls you faster than feels safe, and your quads scream from eccentric loading. I’d brake constantly, turning descents into painful slogs.

Learning to lean forward and let gravity work with you instead of against you changed everything. Counterintuitive because every instinct says lean back for safety. But leaning forward keeps your weight over your feet and improves control.

Ultra shoes with substantial cushioning absorb impact on steep descents. Trust the foam to do its job – land confidently rather than tentatively. Hesitant steps create more jarring impacts than committed strides.

Look 10-15 feet ahead, not at your feet. Your peripheral vision handles immediate obstacles while your main focus picks the line for the next several steps. Staring at your feet causes you to react late to everything.

Use switchbacks efficiently. Don’t cut corners unless the trail is wide and you won’t cause erosion. Proper switchback technique involves a slight slowdown into the turn, then accelerating out as you regain stable footing.

Climb Efficiently Without Burning Out

I used to attack climbs like I had something to prove. Charge hard, blow up halfway, shuffle the rest suffering. Not sustainable for ultra distances with repeated climbs.

Power hiking steep sections is faster and more efficient than trying to run them. Most experienced ultra runners walk anything over 12-15% grade. Your ego wants to run, but your finishing time improves by walking strategically.

Shorter steps and forward lean help on moderate climbs you can run. Don’t try to maintain road pace – accept that uphills are slower and focus on steady effort rather than speed.

Ultra shoes with responsive foam return energy on climbs better than dead, over-cushioned models. You want some ground feel and responsiveness, not just maximum squish. Check reviews of best ultra shoes for models that balance protection with efficiency.

Switch between running and hiking based on gradient and energy levels. No shame in walking – it’s a legitimate ultra running technique that saves energy for later miles.

Navigate Obstacles Smoothly

Roots, rocks, logs, water crossings – trails throw constant obstacles at you. Road running is monotonous; trail running requires active engagement every single step.

Step over obstacles when possible rather than on them. Roots and rocks create unstable landing platforms that waste energy and risk ankle rolls. Clean trail between obstacles provides stable, efficient footing.

When you must step on rocks, aim for flat tops rather than rounded edges. Ultra shoe outsoles grip better on flat surfaces. Rounded rocks test your ankle stability and often end badly.

Creek crossings need committed steps. Hesitation causes slips. Pick your route, commit, and move quickly across. Ultra shoes with drainage holes shed water fast – don’t try to keep your feet dry, just minimize time in the water.

Logs require different techniques depending on diameter. Small logs can be stepped over. Larger ones need to be stepped onto, across, and off in multiple movements. Practice makes these obstacles feel natural instead of interrupting your rhythm.

Adapt To Different Trail Surfaces

Smooth single-track lets you run faster with longer strides. Take advantage of these sections to make time and recover from technical segments.

Rocky technical trails demand full attention and slower paces. Don’t fight it – accept the slower speed and focus on moving safely. Injury here costs way more time than running conservatively.

Loose dirt and gravel reduce traction. Land with flatter foot strikes to engage more of the outsole. Avoid pushing off hard since your foot will just slip backward wasting energy.

Mud varies from slippery clay that sends you sliding to thick paste that sucks your shoes off. Ultra shoes with aggressive, widely-spaced lugs clear mud better than tightly-packed tread patterns. Sometimes you just have to slow down and suffer through it.

Sand is exhausting because every step sinks and slides. Shorten stride even more and increase cadence. Run near the edges where sand is often more compact from less traffic.

Wrapping This Up

Trail running using proper ultra shoes opens up terrain that road shoes can’t handle. But the shoes are only part of the equation – technique matters just as much as equipment.

Shorten your stride, increase cadence, and stay light on your feet. Let the shoes’ features work for you by adapting your form to match the terrain.

Practice on varied trails to build skills across different surfaces and obstacles. What works on smooth single-track fails in technical boulder fields. Versatility comes from experience in diverse conditions.

Accept that trail running is slower than roads. Focus on effort and engagement rather than pace. The challenge and scenery make up for the reduced speed.